Book Review

Introduction

Murat Özgül, an Armor modeler and Graphic designer from Istanbul - Turkey, started a new publishing company MÖdelling Books, derived from the his initials. His first release Tankmödeler Vol.1 is about 1/48 scale AFV Modelling of World War II period.

I ♥️ 48 aims to provide all the information necessary to complete an authentic model, whether its built out of the box or detailed. With the different approaches, the features appeal to modelers at all levels, and each project is described in the many in-progress photos. SBS articles show basic assembly, using update kits, painting, weathering and detailing techniques which serves to develop modelers skills in 1/48 AFV modeling and hopefully inspire and guide all to build his best AFV model.

Review

Book is in 210x270 mm dimensions with a matt laminated cover and 88 pages.

It includes 6 articles from 6 different well-known modelers for 6 different vehicles. Besides different painting and weathering techniques, it is good to see articles explains how to paint African front, Eastern front and camouflaged armor.

All articles are in step-by-step format with photos in numerical sequence and supported in easy to understand detailed texts to explain the process.

Tiger I Early Production

José Luis López Ruiz builds the phenomenal tank of World War II - Tiger I and paints in three tone camouflage. First, he tells about his built of AFV Clubs kit adding RB models barrel, Fruilmodel tracks and scratchbuilt handles with 2 close-up photos and priming the model in 3 photos. Painting process is explained in step-by-step titles like base color, camo colors, chipping and washes, weathering process for horizontal and vertical surfaces, operational dirt effects and supported in 29 photos in numerical sequence. A great article to paint a camouflaged German tank.

Churchill Mk.III of the Kingforce

Second article is a nice SBS article by Domingo Hérnandez. He builds French company Gasolines model as an upgraded and upgunned Churchill Mk.III from African Front commanded by Major Noris King so called as Kingforce. After a short note about the kit, he shares his construction, detailing and paintwork with photos in numbers and added texts for each photo. 17 photos for the built, 28 photos for painting and weathering.

Sturmtiger Sturmmörserwagen 606/4 mit 38 cm RW 61

Another German three tone camouflage article. This time Sturmtiger by Sven Frisch. He starts with a detailed technical and historical info about it and explains his assembly of Tamiya kit in 11 photos. Battle damage on the exhaust covers and zimmerit coating on lower hull look great and well defined. 17 photos for painting and weathering including fading, outlining, chipping, road wheels, tracks, exposed metal, oil and grease effects.

Stug III Ausf.B Assault Gun

A perfect detailed article for Tamiya kit by Pat Johnston. 37 photos for assembly, PE parts, plastic and copper wire detailing, 27 photos for painting and weathering, all in numbers and supported with text. Absoultely a feast for the eyes with very helpful close-up photos.

M10 Achilles Tank Destroyer

Very interesting built by Luciano Rodriguez - an American tank killer upgunned with British anti tank gun. He builds Tamiya M10 IIC as a roofed Canadian Achilles. First, he shares his research about this tank and continues on assembly of the hull, turret, applique armor and stowage. Then painting, markings and weathering. 24 photos for the assembled or painted model. Article has no step by step photos but text is really very explanatory.

Sd.Kfz 251/22 Pakwagen

Last article is written by another master Michael Rinaldi. He builts Tamiya kit with Gasolines resin conversion set. 8 photos for assembly of model and usage of update kit, 27 photos for inside out painting technique, chipping, weathering with washes and oil paint rendering. Very nice final for the book.

Conclusion

With more than 200 high resolution clear photos, substantial text content and contribution of precious modelers, this is a very helpful reference book for armor modelers of all levels. I liked page designs of articles, layout of photos and linked texts are very well represented. Text content is extremely detailed, easy to understand, useful and applicable.

Highs: Hundreds of photos and explanatory text by master modelers.Many close-up photos. Different vehicles for Allied and Axis Forces with different paint schemes. Printing and photo quality are top-notch. Lows: No lows on this book.Verdict: Great reference book for 1/48 scale World War II armor modelers of all levels.

Our Thanks to MÖdelling Books!This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

Born in 1962,married and having 2 sons. I started modelling about 8 years old building USS Fletcher with mom. It was a model dad brought from USA., I think in those days only a few people in Turkey had info on scale model kits. Grown as an AF officer son , I built many aircraft models in years. Som...